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Dani Lancing
The Sad Man (Novella): A Dani Lancing Story
Police officer Tom Bevans is nicknamed the Sad Man by his colleagues. As a Family Liaison Officer he is always the bearer of bad news - it is his job to tell the friends and family of victims the fate of their loved ones.
But Tom is weighted down by crimes both old and new - haunted by the death of his best friend Dani, whose murder has never been solved.
When a rare opportunity emerges for Tom to take the lead in a horrific murder investigation, he is determined to get justice for the victim. A young girl has been found in her own home, cut so badly - and so carefully - that she has bled to death, leaving a deliberate pool of blood in the shape of angel wings....
But Tom is weighted down by crimes both old and new - haunted by the death of his best friend Dani, whose murder has never been solved.
When a rare opportunity emerges for Tom to take the lead in a horrific murder investigation, he is determined to get justice for the victim. A young girl has been found in her own home, cut so badly - and so carefully - that she has bled to death, leaving a deliberate pool of blood in the shape of angel wings....
111 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2013
11 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
P.D. Viner
10 books52 followersI am killing again.
I live in Brighton, UK, with my wife, academic, blogger and author Lynneguist, and our teenage daughter.
I have made films, written theatre and created the audio ranges SmartPass and Shakespeare Appreciated.
Now I'm back and murdering with The Call and more to come. I love writing. I'm so happy and so lucky to have Hera Canelo publishing me.
I live in Brighton, UK, with my wife, academic, blogger and author Lynneguist, and our teenage daughter.
I have made films, written theatre and created the audio ranges SmartPass and Shakespeare Appreciated.
Now I'm back and murdering with The Call and more to come. I love writing. I'm so happy and so lucky to have Hera Canelo publishing me.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 30, 2015
‘You want to avenge them, don’t you?’ Dani whispers. ‘All the pretty dead girls.’
The Sad Man is a (free download) novella in the Dani Lancing series by British author, P.D.Viner. Sergeant Tom Bevans is a Family Liaison Officer. He often has to give families bad news about missing children, and is so good at his job, so empathetic, they call him The Sad Man. But he has now been in the Police Force for twelve years; he is thirty-one years old and wants to do more: he wants to find the killers and see justice done for the victims.
Despite his applications for Detective Inspector being rejected multiple times, he suddenly finds himself Acting DI on a very strange case. Charlie, daughter of gallery owner Valerie Brindley-Black, has been murdered with a stab wound to the abdomen that had bled out into a wing-like shape carved into the gallery floor. Given a very short time to solve the case by a jittery superior, he nonetheless manages to track down three earlier cases bearing the same features. Against the orders of his Chief Super, he travels to a prison in the Netherlands to learn more about the man he is sure is the killer of at least four women.
This short story is set in 1999, after Dani Lancing's murder, but before her case is solved. It can be read as a stand-alone, but reading The Last Winter of Dani Lancing will enhance the reading experience of The Sad Man and vice versa, if only to understand how Tom Bevans advances to his rank and job in 2010, and just who Dani-in-his-head in 1999 actually is. Either way, this is an excellent little murder mystery where the identity of the killer emerges through a combinaton of deductive and intuitive thinking. Recommended.
The Sad Man is a (free download) novella in the Dani Lancing series by British author, P.D.Viner. Sergeant Tom Bevans is a Family Liaison Officer. He often has to give families bad news about missing children, and is so good at his job, so empathetic, they call him The Sad Man. But he has now been in the Police Force for twelve years; he is thirty-one years old and wants to do more: he wants to find the killers and see justice done for the victims.
Despite his applications for Detective Inspector being rejected multiple times, he suddenly finds himself Acting DI on a very strange case. Charlie, daughter of gallery owner Valerie Brindley-Black, has been murdered with a stab wound to the abdomen that had bled out into a wing-like shape carved into the gallery floor. Given a very short time to solve the case by a jittery superior, he nonetheless manages to track down three earlier cases bearing the same features. Against the orders of his Chief Super, he travels to a prison in the Netherlands to learn more about the man he is sure is the killer of at least four women.
This short story is set in 1999, after Dani Lancing's murder, but before her case is solved. It can be read as a stand-alone, but reading The Last Winter of Dani Lancing will enhance the reading experience of The Sad Man and vice versa, if only to understand how Tom Bevans advances to his rank and job in 2010, and just who Dani-in-his-head in 1999 actually is. Either way, this is an excellent little murder mystery where the identity of the killer emerges through a combinaton of deductive and intuitive thinking. Recommended.
June 12, 2015
This was absolutely terrific. For those of you who have read The Last Winter of Dani Lancing would thoroughly enjoy it. And for those who haven’t, this is a brilliant introduction to Mr. Viner debut; his style and depth of his writing.
Sad Man gives you an insight into the mind of one of the characters in Last Winter of Dani Lancing, Tom Bevan. What grief has done to him and shaped who he has become. Dani is Tom’s one and only love. She was murder 10years ago and the crime hasn’t yet been solved. His whole life revolves around the memory Dani, consumes his every waking hour. Dani is there in his mind; she talks to him, guides him and encourages him. He joined the police force to get first hand information on Dani’s murder. But now he want lead an investigation of his own to seek justice for victims like Dani.
Tom is the Family Liaison Officer, nick named The Sad Mad due to his role in the police force as a bearer of sad news to the families of the murdered victim, and to his sympathetic nature to those families involved. After being on the force for many years, his superiors reluctantly give him the role of lead investigator upon his request. However when they find out complexity and severity of the crime, they want him out. But Tom is wildly driven to solving the case and nothing will stop him.
Mr Viner writing it amazing; dark, mysterious and horrific at times. And his storyline is quite inventive. He is very gifted in the way his displays the intensity of grief and sadness that felt so real and agonising. You could almost hear Tom howl from the pain. The ending was bursting with heart-stopping action and suspense. Everything that Tom does is for Dani - that includes solving this case - and it goes to show what a person will do for the sake of love.
Sad Man gives you an insight into the mind of one of the characters in Last Winter of Dani Lancing, Tom Bevan. What grief has done to him and shaped who he has become. Dani is Tom’s one and only love. She was murder 10years ago and the crime hasn’t yet been solved. His whole life revolves around the memory Dani, consumes his every waking hour. Dani is there in his mind; she talks to him, guides him and encourages him. He joined the police force to get first hand information on Dani’s murder. But now he want lead an investigation of his own to seek justice for victims like Dani.
Tom is the Family Liaison Officer, nick named The Sad Mad due to his role in the police force as a bearer of sad news to the families of the murdered victim, and to his sympathetic nature to those families involved. After being on the force for many years, his superiors reluctantly give him the role of lead investigator upon his request. However when they find out complexity and severity of the crime, they want him out. But Tom is wildly driven to solving the case and nothing will stop him.
Mr Viner writing it amazing; dark, mysterious and horrific at times. And his storyline is quite inventive. He is very gifted in the way his displays the intensity of grief and sadness that felt so real and agonising. You could almost hear Tom howl from the pain. The ending was bursting with heart-stopping action and suspense. Everything that Tom does is for Dani - that includes solving this case - and it goes to show what a person will do for the sake of love.
February 26, 2014
Police officer Tom Bevans, also known as 'The Sad Man', is a Family Liaison Officer (FLO). He delivers tragic news to families of murder or accident victims. Tom suffers with these people as he knows well enough what it means to lose a loved one. Dani Lancing, a girl he loved all his life has been the victim of a yet unsolved murder. He is still in love with her and continuously hears her voice echoing in his mind. He talks to her as if she is still alive.
After twelve years as FLO, Tom wants to advance in his career. An opportunity arises when a horrible murder takes place and the current DI is out on sick. He is temporarily appointed Acting DI to solve this murder.
The body of a young woman is found in an art gallery. The killer is very meticulous. The victim's blood is artistically displayed in the shape of angel wings. Tom soon realises that this will not be an easy case to solve. Being his first case, will he succeed in putting this killer behind bars?
At one point the story took a turn I found somewhat strange and was about to lose interest, however soon after that an unexpected twist rekindled my full attention and kept me hooked till the end.
This was a really well written book and I was impressed with the author's ability to write a complete and interesting murder account together with background information and believable characters in just over 100 pages. Well Done!!
After twelve years as FLO, Tom wants to advance in his career. An opportunity arises when a horrible murder takes place and the current DI is out on sick. He is temporarily appointed Acting DI to solve this murder.
The body of a young woman is found in an art gallery. The killer is very meticulous. The victim's blood is artistically displayed in the shape of angel wings. Tom soon realises that this will not be an easy case to solve. Being his first case, will he succeed in putting this killer behind bars?
At one point the story took a turn I found somewhat strange and was about to lose interest, however soon after that an unexpected twist rekindled my full attention and kept me hooked till the end.
This was a really well written book and I was impressed with the author's ability to write a complete and interesting murder account together with background information and believable characters in just over 100 pages. Well Done!!
March 20, 2014
I loved this book! A brilliant short read, kept me engrossed throughout. I can't wait to read more of P.D. Viner's books!
March 2, 2025
Tom Bevans is a FLO (family liaison officer) who supports families when a member of their family is murdered. He keeps them up to date with whatever is happening with their cases. However what he really wants to do is move up the ladder and become a Detective Inspector, but he's being blocked by his next 2 higher up bosses. Plus he does have an annoying back story, not that the death of his childhood sweetheart is annoying, it's the way 11/12yrs later he is talking to her as if she is in the room with him, and she replies. I hope this is all happening inside his head and not out there in the open when he is at work, otherwise his career in the police force will be curtailed pretty soon.
With his DI off sick he is called in by his more superior boss who is an absolute numpty and can't even be that bothered with the case he is being tasked to solve. A young woman is found dead inside an art gallery, naked, with her hair died silver and with huge cuts across her body and the blood has bled out around her body making it look as if she had angel wings. Now Tom does highlight his good work as a police officer he tracks down women who have been murdered and had dyed silver hair, all in the Netherlands, takes a trip over there to a prison and discovers that the wave of young women being killed in this manner was restricted to those in The Netherlands but he sees a man in prison who was guilty of those earlier murders so cannot have done the main one now. But the murdering prisoner does give Tom a lot of help and points him in another direction as to who could have done it.
The story, although short, does rattle along and you get to like Tom and wish him well in his job. And he does get the promotion he deserves and not so his two higher up bossses. I note that this seems to be part of a series, and am wary in case Tom is still walking around having conversations in his head with his dead girlfriend. And I don't see how that will work, and it could turn out to be a rather boring book with just the one sided one liners in it, I think I will skip any others in the series.
With his DI off sick he is called in by his more superior boss who is an absolute numpty and can't even be that bothered with the case he is being tasked to solve. A young woman is found dead inside an art gallery, naked, with her hair died silver and with huge cuts across her body and the blood has bled out around her body making it look as if she had angel wings. Now Tom does highlight his good work as a police officer he tracks down women who have been murdered and had dyed silver hair, all in the Netherlands, takes a trip over there to a prison and discovers that the wave of young women being killed in this manner was restricted to those in The Netherlands but he sees a man in prison who was guilty of those earlier murders so cannot have done the main one now. But the murdering prisoner does give Tom a lot of help and points him in another direction as to who could have done it.
The story, although short, does rattle along and you get to like Tom and wish him well in his job. And he does get the promotion he deserves and not so his two higher up bossses. I note that this seems to be part of a series, and am wary in case Tom is still walking around having conversations in his head with his dead girlfriend. And I don't see how that will work, and it could turn out to be a rather boring book with just the one sided one liners in it, I think I will skip any others in the series.
October 31, 2023
It wasn't exactly bad, a pretty average story, but there is a certain type of writing style that just screams that it was written by the white man—
(Perhaps, it because they always have the pretty and beautiful dead girlfriend, who haunts them aesthetically, and they main hero always is such a martyr, lmao)
(Perhaps, it because they always have the pretty and beautiful dead girlfriend, who haunts them aesthetically, and they main hero always is such a martyr, lmao)
November 4, 2022
Short story, and I'm not sure whether this should be read before or after the main Dani Lancing novel but it doesn't really matter anyway. Bit silly, like the other ones, but a good read nevertheless.
May 22, 2022
Not a bad book but felt my concentration drifting in a few places.
November 4, 2013
Family Liaison Officer, Detective Tom Bevans was haunted by his own sadness – the unsolved murder of his girlfriend, Dani Lancing. Nicknamed The Sad Man by his colleagues, he was the perfect person to be the bearer of the terrible news to the families of the murder victims. The young girls especially, touched his heart.
When Tom was grudgingly given the role of acting Detective Inspector in a case which horrified even the most hardened police officers, he grabbed at the opportunity. The beautiful young girl with silver hair had been found in her mother’s art gallery, cut so deeply that she bled to death; the stunning image left caused Tom concern and his instinct led him in his investigation.
As the search for the killer intensified, Tom had troubles of his own – but he was determined to bring justice for Charli; moving forward, rarely sleeping, he was comforted by Dani’s voice-in-his-head along the way. But would it be enough? Would he find this vicious and sadistic killer before he struck again? Suddenly the long ago past began to intrude….
This was a fantastic short story, a follow-on to The Last Winter of Dani Lancing which I also thoroughly enjoyed. There was mystery and intrigue, with a fast paced plot to keep me turning the pages. An entertaining read – I’ll be reading more from this author.
When Tom was grudgingly given the role of acting Detective Inspector in a case which horrified even the most hardened police officers, he grabbed at the opportunity. The beautiful young girl with silver hair had been found in her mother’s art gallery, cut so deeply that she bled to death; the stunning image left caused Tom concern and his instinct led him in his investigation.
As the search for the killer intensified, Tom had troubles of his own – but he was determined to bring justice for Charli; moving forward, rarely sleeping, he was comforted by Dani’s voice-in-his-head along the way. But would it be enough? Would he find this vicious and sadistic killer before he struck again? Suddenly the long ago past began to intrude….
This was a fantastic short story, a follow-on to The Last Winter of Dani Lancing which I also thoroughly enjoyed. There was mystery and intrigue, with a fast paced plot to keep me turning the pages. An entertaining read – I’ll be reading more from this author.
October 25, 2013
A short story about a man who lost his girlfriend to a terrible murder 10 years ago, and he still hears her talk to him in his head. They never found the killer for dani (his girlfriend) and this is the base for making him a brilliant policeman. The story starts with a strange murder, one the resonates with 3 old murders pack in the early 80's. This book is slow paced until the end and shows how dedicated some people can be to bring justice. I liked this book, I loved the ending, how he still thought he deserved to be saved. However, the book skips some vital information I find, it switches and changes from scenes without always knowing where you are. It is written mostly as a first person and shows you a journey from diss pair to enlightenment, a nice read if you want something quick but interesting to read
November 9, 2013
My View:
I loved the novel The Last Winter of Dani Lancing and so found this prequel thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying but sadly I felt it only hinted at the mastery the first full length novel exudes. However if you spare a minute to listen to the audio clip so wonderfully interpreted by Steven Elder you feel the both stories come to life – you feel Tom Bevans come to life!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoaMRA...
The audio audio clip is a taster… it stars Steven Elder who plays Tom Bevans in the full-cast, unabridged audio book of The Last Winter of Dani Lancing.
Fantastic!!!
I loved the novel The Last Winter of Dani Lancing and so found this prequel thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying but sadly I felt it only hinted at the mastery the first full length novel exudes. However if you spare a minute to listen to the audio clip so wonderfully interpreted by Steven Elder you feel the both stories come to life – you feel Tom Bevans come to life!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoaMRA...
The audio audio clip is a taster… it stars Steven Elder who plays Tom Bevans in the full-cast, unabridged audio book of The Last Winter of Dani Lancing.
Fantastic!!!
December 1, 2013
I read this one to see if I liked the writing style of the author, as I had considered buying The Last Winter of Dani Lancing. I'm not a massive fan of short stories but this one managed to create a character that was very intriguing, I now want to find out more about Tom Bevans and what happened to Dani. This story has enough in it to be a good read in itself and at one point I found myself holding my breath as I read - that's good writing in a thriller. I can't wait to read the Last Winter - so thanks to the author for this introduction, hope the book is just as good.
February 12, 2016
An interesting back story into the character of Tom Bevans, which was useful to read after having finished Summer of Ghosts. Definitely adds credence to my thought that more background on his character would help when reading Summer of Ghosts as I certainly feel like I understand him more now than at the end of SoG. Would be interesting to read the first novel in the series and see if that improves the comprehension of his ways. An enjoyable short read, though at times a little stodgy.
March 9, 2015
This novel was a great short story about Police Officer Tom Bevens who is nicknamed The Sad Man by his colleagues due to being a Family Liaison Officer and is always the bearer of very bad and sad news to families. This novel also gives readers a look into Tom's background. A great insight into this terrific series.❤❤❤
September 10, 2016
The Sad Man is a short story by P.D.Viner and part of the Dani Lancing series.
A very good short story that was a free dpwnload from Amazon.
Fast paced and full of suspense. I will certainly be looking out for more books by this author.
A very good short story that was a free dpwnload from Amazon.
Fast paced and full of suspense. I will certainly be looking out for more books by this author.
July 24, 2014
I loved this short story. It gives you a real insight into DS Tom Bevans and his past and current relationship with Dani Lancing. The ending was heart racing stuff and it left you wanting to read the next novel. A great short all round!
July 9, 2014
The author has a suggestive voice, I loved it. He can show deep emotions with ease. It's mostly sadness, though it resonates with the main character and the murders.
July 16, 2014
excellent
Read
March 29, 2017Sad, but for a reason. Only atonement will let the sad man move on. This is quite a gripping story with some twists and turns along the way. A killer is born from an odd accident.
April 15, 2017
downloaded this to my kindle last week. was a good read, a little hard to follow in places due to flashback sequences but I enjoyed it
Read
May 19, 2014its great
September 15, 2014
Noo why did he make Dani go away! Otherwise a fantastic story. I loved every detail.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews